"Remote" Battery Terminals

[rpasquarello]

I want to add a set of terminals on my some for clipping an airpump to that has alligator clips.

Any suggested "premade" items like that around?

 

[rpasquarello]

I want to add a set of terminals on my transom for clipping an airpump to that has alligator clips.

Any suggested "premade" items for that around?

 

[magstang1]

How much current does your inflator draw?

i would look to install a molded connector at the transom and replace the alligator clips on the pump with a matching connector. Something like a cigarette lighter plug. Just make sure the amperage rating is adequate.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I did the same thing a few years ago. I ended up putting the remote posts in a storage compartment that is just inside the transom door. My battery switch is there, along with my DC breaker panel. I tapped into one of the unused breakers there (15a, I believe) and ran 10g wire to the new positive power post. I ran the negative wire to my ground bus bar. Be sure to use tinned wiring and terminal insulators. Check out Blue Seas website, under "Bus Bars". I believe I actually could (should?) have used 12g wire, but as this is basically a remote battery connection and the posts, themselves, are not the actual load (whatever is connected to the posts will carry the load through it's wiring) I wasn't worried about oversizing the wire. The breaker panel uses dual 10g feed wires from the battery switch, for what it's worth.

 

[rpasquarello]

I have to check the inflator to be sure -- I'm at work right now and can't check the draw. FYI, I have a cigarette lighter receptical there now and its connected directly to one of my batteries with an inline fues. The issue is that the new inflator has heavier gauge wire than both my old inflator and the existing receptical -- so I'm looking to add something a little "beefier"

My friend's Chapparal had a covered, molded receptical at his transom which he used (he lost the boat Sandy and gave me his inflator) and I am looking for something along those lines...

 

[rpasquarello]

Thanks, Dennis. You're a wealth of knowledge (again) ! I'll check that site. I'll also take a peek to see if I have any unused DC breakers under the hood somewhere the next time I'm at the boat.

Rocco

 

[JimG]

No premade that I know of. Easy to make though... two nuts and bolts through a piece of insulating material (even a piece of wood), four ring terminals with a black and a red wire, say 10AWG or 12AWG. Maybe some red and black shrink tubing half way up the bolt to help identify polarity. Fuse the red wire right at the battery with a 20A inline fuse for the 10/12AWG wire. Alternatively, you could change your alligator clips to a cigarette lighter plug.

 

[JimG]

Deleted...

 

[Lazy Daze]

No problem, Rocco! I originally did this for an inflator, as well. Same thing - has alligator clips and heavier wire. Thought about changing it over to a cigarette lighter, but didn't feel comfortable doing it - figured the manufacturer did it for a reason and didn't feel like researching it to possibly change it. Besides, I liked having a robust, remote terminal set-up for other reasons, too.

There's probably some type of access door/storage bin set-up that you could use for a terminal location - especially if you had it in your transom locker. The wall where your electrical hook-up is would probably be a good (and relatively easy to access for installation) location.

I'll get a pic of my setup so you can get a better idea of what one option may look like.

 

[rpasquarello]

Jim,

Did I commit a boo-boo?

:huh:

Rocco

 

[JimG]

Jim,

Did I commit a boo-boo?

:huh:

Rocco

There was two different threads... it appears that the mods have combined them now.

 

[magstang1]

It doesn't necessarily have to be a cigarette lighter. You could use a shore power plug if you really wanted to.

Any mating, male and female, receptacle and plug will work. As long as its rated for the appropriate ampacity.